Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever, often called typhoid, is rare in the United States, but it’s still common in some countries. About 5,700 people get sick with typhoid in the United States every year, usually after travelling to other countries. The typhoid vaccine can help prevent the disease.

Some people should not get the typhoid vaccine — or may need to wait to get it.

Typhoid shot

Some people should not get the typhoid shot, including:

Children younger than 2 years

People who have had an allergic reaction to the typhoid shot or any ingredient in the vaccine

If you’re sick, you may need to wait until you’re feeling better to get the typhoid shot.

Oral typhoid vaccine

Some people should not get the oral typhoid vaccine, including:

Children younger than 6 years

People who have had an allergic reaction to the oral typhoid vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine

If you’re sick, you may need to wait until you’re feeling better to get the oral typhoid vaccine. And if you’ve been taking antibiotics, you need to wait for at least 3 days after you’ve stopped taking them to get the vaccine.

Your doctor may recommend that you get the typhoid shot instead of the oral vaccine if you have a weakened immune system, like if you:

Side effects from the typhoid vaccine are usually mild and go away in a few days.

Typhoid shot

Side effects of the typhoid shot may include:

Pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given

Headache

Fever

Serious side effects from the typhoid shot are very rare.

Oral typhoid vaccine

The most common side effects of the oral typhoid vaccine:

Fever

Headache

Less often, the oral typhoid vaccine can cause:

Stomach pain

Throwing up

A rash

Serious side effects from the oral typhoid vaccine are very rare.

Like any medicine, there's a very small chance that the typhoid vaccine could cause a serious reaction. Keep in mind that getting the typhoid vaccine is much safer than getting typhoid. Learn more about vaccine side effects.